Share This Story!

Puppy love: Over $53 billion spent on pets in 2012

The U.S. economy may have remained sluggish last year but Americans refused to scrimp on their pets, with animal lovers spending upwards of $53 billion on food, veterinary care, kennels and other services in 2012.

The other is of Cleo, Gwen Romine's black pug.
Romine says her pugs keep her warm on cold night. In warmer weather, they go to the park and "chase each other on the tennis courts."
Submitted by Gwen Romine

Story Highlights

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. economy may have remained sluggish last year but Americans refused to scrimp on their pets, with animal lovers spending upwards of $53 billion on food, veterinary care, kennels and other services in 2012.

That's up 5% from 2011, when spending first broke the $50 billion barrier, says the American Pet Products Association, a trade group. APPA President and CEO Bob Vetere predicts another 4% gain this year.

At about $34.3 billion, food and vet care represented about two-thirds of total spending, with money spent on supplies and over-the-counter medications rising by more than 7%.

Vetere says spending on services like grooming, boarding, hotels and pet-sitting grew nearly 10% during 2012 to almost $4.4 billion.